More than 15 M&T Bank employees are solely dedicated to the mission of Buffalo Promise Neighborhood.

Our Mission

Buffalo Promise Neighborhood (BPN) is an integrated team of dedicated professionals focused on community revitalization through education. But it's more than that- it's a belief. It's part of M&T Bank's longstanding dedication to strengthening its community. We are driven by the simple fact that education and opportunity are intrinsically connected. So when we talk about promise, we're talking about our commitment to exceptional support that improves education outcomes. But we're also talking about the promise that is realized when opportunities are equal and accessible.

Our focus

Provide opportunity, support and resources to help parents achieve the best for themselves and their children

Build a strong educational foundation that carries children from cradle to career.

In our name is a promise — a promise to children and families that we believe in them, a promise that their community cares; a promise that we — the community — will help them achieve a bright future.

BPN operates four schools and provides innovative programming to support and enrich the lives of families, both inside and outside the classroom.

Where We Began

In the early 1990s, M&T Bank Chairman, Robert Wilmers, was concerned about the state of education in Buffalo’s public schools. This led to the idea: if M&T were to adopt a struggling school and invest in it, could we make a difference?

In 1993, that idea was put to the test when Mr. Wilmers led a group of M&T Bank employees to help revitalize Buffalo Public School 68 — at the time, one of the city’s lowest performing schools. The group brought a new perspective, viewing it through a business lens, in addition to education. As School #68 transitioned to Westminster Community Charter School and achieved success, M&T ultimately brought the national Promise Neighborhood model to Buffalo in 2012, officially creating Buffalo Promise Neighborhood.

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Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is a unique public/private partnership bringing together local business, community and philanthropic leaders to help build and sustain stronger communities within the city of Buffalo.

Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is a long-term collaboration between M&T Bank and its community to empower schools, students, and families. We understand that learning and opportunity are intrinsically connected, and that success is most meaningful when its shared by everyone.